City Manager Corner

Check-in with Indian Wells City Manager Chris Freeland in the City Manager Corner.

In this edition, Chris discusses exciting new additions coming to the Indian Wells Golf Resort and public works projects completed this summer.

To view, click here.

Indian Wells Golf Resort to Welcome New Restaurant: Kestrel by Celebrity Chef Richard Blais

The Indian Wells Golf Resort is excited to welcome Richard Blais, celebrity chef and sparkling TV personality, to Indian Wells!

Now open, Kestrel, a Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge, will be a hotspot for amazing food in the Coachella Valley. The restaurant is designed to be upscale casual with an experimental twist that is sure to delight anyone who enters. Learn more.

It's never too late to get prepared for an emergency, whether that's earthquakes, floods or fires.

All residents should have enough supplies to last several days without emergency response and should have a plan mapped out. Practice makes perfect so once your plan is mapped out, train for an emergency.

The City highly encourages all to sign up for Nixle, an alert notification service. Sign up by texting your zip code to 888777 or visiting local.nixle.com/register.

Indian Wells is also pleased to announce that Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training will return. The 3-day training will take place from November 22-24. More information on how to register will be available as the event approaches.

To find more details on preparing for an emergency, visit https://conta.cc/44ILIYT

Indian Wells Continues to Vigorously Defend Its Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

For more than a decade, the City has prohibited short-term rentals (STRs), with their hotel-like impacts, Citywide. The City did establish a temporary general exception during the tennis tournament, and more recently allowed common-interest developments (homeowner association or HOA) to opt out of the Citywide restrictions upon a certified vote of the HOA. But the policy of the City remains to prioritize and protect the residential character and resident quality of life by restricting transitory lodging uses within City's residential neighborhoods.

Some time ago, the City learned of an illegally operated STR within the community, and the City took steps to enforce the City’s restrictions. The property owner sued the City as well, asserting a number of arguments. The City successfully chipped away at the property owners' claims, but in a recent decision, the trial court ruled in favor of the property owner on two points, focused on the HOA exception.

The City disagreed with the ruling and immediately appealed. The City consulted with an independent third-party law firm confirmed the City is headed in the right direction on appeal. The appeal is being briefed by the parties now. The City Council remains committed to defending the City’s restrictions on STRs and other transitory lodging uses in our residential neighborhoods, to preserve the residential character of all our neighborhoods and the quality of life of our residents.

Reminders about Hedge Heights in Your Neighborhood

In Indian Wells, the Municipal Code regulates the allowable heights for hedges and walls between adjoining residential properties. At the September 5 Council Meeting, staff was directed by City Council to review the City’s existing Hedge Height and Tree regulations with the Planning Commission to determine if there was reason to consider modifications to the existing Code.  After considering the evidence and discussing the proposal, the Planning Commission determined that no changes to the existing hedge heights regulations were necessary. As such, each homeowner can continue to maintain or install a 9-foot high hedge on their property as measured from the lowest point of their finished pad elevations. 

Please note that residents are not allowed to trim their neighbor's hedges. If you would like to report a hedge that does not comply with the City's Municipal Code, call the Code Enforcement Department at (760) 346-2489.

Sign up for the Firebird Resident Ticket Lottery

Residents with a valid Resident Benefit Card will be able to sign up for the Firebird Resident Ticket Lottery!

Each lottery winner receives two tickets to attend one of the games, and winners are determined by a random drawing. More information on how to sign up will be available soon.

IW-TV is Now Live 24/7 on YouTube

Indian Wells TV (IW-TV), the local public access channel, is one of the many ways the City of Indian Wells shares information about what is happening in the community.

Residents can watch past City Council, committee and commission meetings daily. The most recently held City Council meetings broadcast at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, and the Housing Authority meetings air at 1 p.m. Other programming includes informational videos and public service announcements on public safety, construction, relevant ordinances and more.

IW-TV is now live-streaming 24/7 directly to YouTube and the website.

The Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort will be closed for overseeding starting on October 14. The course will reopen on October 31.

The Celebrity Course closed for overseeding on September 22. The course will reopen on October 10.

Indian Wells is now a Certified Autism Center™

The City of Indian Wells has worked with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to be designated as a Certified Autism Center™.

City staff have completed training and certification in best practices when assisting autistic sensory-sensitive individuals. By undergoing additional autism-specific training, the goal is for the City to be better equipped to provide better service and experiences to all. Learn more.

The Hyatt Regency Becomes A Grand Hyatt

Indian Wells' Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa has become a Grand Hyatt!

This new title reflects the upscaled amenities available at the beloved hotel, such as glamorous suites, large conference rooms and luxurious spa facilities. Visit the newly renovated hotel and relax with a staycation!

Paradise Pickleball Discounted Memberships for Indian Wells Residents

The City of Indian Wells is partnering with Paradise Pickleball to provide a 10% discount off annual membership and monthly memberships to residents with a valid Resident Benefit Card.

Learn more on the Paradise Pickleball website.